Saying What You Think and the 10 pm Curfew

 I was never a fan of Dr Who but I rather liked this clip where the real Vincent Van Gogh was given the chance to realise that he was infact a much loved and celebrated artist. It seems kind and right and so unlike reality that meant that Vincent never realised his talent when he was penniless and dying. 

Emily is a nurse , I have worked with over the past few years. She is leaving the hospice for pastures new and she is young, gobby, confident, questioning and potty mouthed and I adore working with her. Last week I told her that fact, but I balanced the usual I’ll miss you with some home truths. 

I told her she was a good nurse, and one that would make an excellent sister but I also told her why I thought so . I acknowledged her strengths , and without embarrassment gave her examples of her good practice . The older I get, the more important I think it is to be positive and truthful and celebratory about people.  

Emily is in the middle back row and the chap in the cap is Ben another dear friend who leaves soon

I will miss them both so much 

Go on try it. Say something nice to a friend, celebrate a strength, acknowledge a skill. 

Look at Vincent’s face and tell me it’s a bad idea……..

And thank you to Gemma from Melbourne , who emailed me with a suggestion 

“ Put the dogs to bed on the kitchen reading chair at 10 pm , put a log on the fire and call the cats , and just see if the dynamic of no dogs and just me has on Weaver” 

So I did just that, and stretching out on my trendy blue sofa I settled to watch A Bridge Too far.

Almost immediately did Bun come for a cuddle , but minutes later Weaver sat uncomfortably on the back of the chair. 

The dog’s absence had suddenly opened up them for cats time 

And half an hour later I was scratching a slightly moody but receptive Weaver behind the ears as she purred a dog free purr 

Simple psychology 

But I had missed it